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Texas Master Naturalist program looking to grow

Posted at 11:19 AM, Aug 17, 2018
and last updated 2018-08-17 14:02:45-04

CORPUS CHRISTI – Those who have a love for nature and a desire to learn while promoting the conservation of our natural resources, may want to consider becoming a Texas Master Naturalist.

Texas Master Naturalists not only get their feet wet and their hands dirty, but spend time in a natural setting while doing so, learning about different plant and animal species.

To become a Texas Master Naturalist, each Master Naturalist Trainee must successfully complete an approved training program with at least 40 hours of combined field and classroom instruction. After completing the training, the candidate donates at least 40 hours of volunteer service back to the state and community.

Trainees can complete their 40 hours of volunteer service and 8 hours of advanced training within a year after completion of their initial training. Then, in subsequent years, the candidate must complete another 8 hours of advanced training and donates 40 hours of volunteer service to maintain their certification (or to re-certify) as a Texas Master Naturalist.

The South Texas Chapter will be holding an Intern Orientation on Saturday, August 25th at the South Texas Botanical Gardens (8545 S. Staples St.).

The schedule for the day includes:

8:30-9:15 AM: Registration
9:15-10:15 AM: Botanical Garden Tour
10:15-10:30 AM: Break
10:30-11:30 AM: Kevin Gibbs, Horticulture Agent Presentation
11:30-12:30 PM: Lunch
1:00 PM: Understanding Urban Ecosystems, Joanne Salge
2:00 PM: Texas Master Naturalist Program Presentation
3:00 PM: How to Document Your Hours, Cindy Frank

Additional Training will take place on the following dates:

September 8: Welder Wildlife Foundation
September 22: National Seashore, Trail Hike/Plant ID
September 29: Lake Corpus Christi State Park
October 6: Oso Bay Wetlands
October 13: Marine Development Center
November 3: National Seashore, Coastal Ecology and Turtle Program
November 10: Nueces Delta Preserve
November 17: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Services
December 1: Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
December 8: Hazel-Bazemore Park

For more information, visit the website here or call Carlos Valdez at (361) 946-6123 or email 1taboo2@sbcglobal.net.